Urine Test (Urinalysis)
Routine urine test at each appointment checking for protein, glucose, bacteria, and infection.
📅 When Performed
Every prenatal visit
⏱️ Results Timeline
Immediate
Overview
A urine sample is checked at every prenatal appointment to screen for various pregnancy complications and infections. The test looks for protein (sign of preeclampsia), glucose (sign of gestational diabetes), and bacteria (sign of infection).
You'll provide a urine sample in a cup at each appointment - it's a quick, non-invasive way to monitor for several important conditions. The test can catch problems early before you have symptoms.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in pregnancy and need to be treated promptly. Protein in urine can be an early warning sign of preeclampsia, a serious pregnancy complication.
🎯 Purpose of Test
- •Screen for urinary tract infections
- •Detect protein (sign of preeclampsia)
- •Check for glucose (gestational diabetes screening)
- •Monitor kidney function
- •Detect bacteria or white blood cells
- •Screen for dehydration
🔬 How It's Performed
- 1.Provide urine sample in sterile cup
- 2.Clean-catch midstream sample preferred
- 3.Dipstick test performed immediately
- 4.Checks protein, glucose, ketones, blood, leukocytes, nitrites
- 5.Takes less than a minute
- 6.Results available immediately
- 7.If abnormal, may send sample to lab
👀 What to Expect
- →Done at every prenatal visit
- →Quick and easy
- →Results reviewed immediately
- →Abnormal results may require follow-up testing
- →If infection found, antibiotics prescribed
- →If protein found, blood pressure monitored closely
✓ Normal Results
Negative for protein, glucose, bacteria, blood, ketones
⚠️ Abnormal Results
- •Protein in urine: Possible preeclampsia, needs immediate evaluation
- •Glucose in urine: May indicate gestational diabetes
- •Bacteria/leukocytes/nitrites: Urinary tract infection, needs antibiotics
- •Ketones: Possible dehydration or inadequate nutrition
- •Blood in urine: May indicate infection or kidney stones
- •Follow-up testing required for any abnormality
⚠️ Risks & Considerations
- •No risks whatsoever
- •Completely non-invasive
- •Simple urine collection
📝 How to Prepare
- →Empty bladder fully
- →Clean-catch method: wipe front to back, catch midstream
- →Don't need to fast
- →Stay hydrated